Kearney hails coach’s will to leave legacy

Rob Kearney believes Joe Schmidt will do everything in his power to set Ireland up for a sustained period of success after he leaves.

Head coach Schmidt has dragged Ireland from eighth to second in the world in five years at the helm, and the New Zealander will step down after next year’s World Cup.

Former England assistant coach Andy Farrell will replace Schmidt as Ireland boss after the tournament, with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) quick to confirm its long-term plans yesterday.

Ireland have announced Schmidt will end his coaching career next year and Kearney hailed the determination of his former Leinster and current international boss to leave a lasting legacy.

“We’ve got some superb coaches in Ireland and I think one of the great things about Joe is that he will want to leave this Irish team in a better place than he found it,” said the fullback. “The IRFU have great contingency plans in place, and Joe will have helped a great deal with that.

“One Grand Slam, two more Six Nations championships, he’s brought Ireland to the highest-ever world ranking, beaten New Zealand twice – the stats speak for themselves.” Schmidt was named coach of the year at World Rugby’s awards ceremony in Monaco on Sunday night, with stand-off Johnny Sexton claiming the world player of the year gong and Ireland named team of the year.